Many delights in life come in ways that are unexpected and unanticipated. This truism is applicable even to learning experiences including our understanding of the Bible. If we approach the Bible with an open-minded attitude we will surely end up finding …
Consider your ways: Part 2
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," Isaiah 55: 8. There is a difference in God's way of thinking and our understanding of what God can do. God is asking you—“What do you think of …
Reason for hope
Have you thought of your life fully ending with your death? If that was the case I must say that is a miserable state. Thankfully, that is not the case. We all desire to live and never to die. Yet, each …
The Church of Sardis: The Dead Church
Our study in the Seven Churches of Asia has revealed to us both the positive and negative ways in which Jesus perceived the spiritual state of the assemblies of Christians of ancient times. This was often in dramatic contrast with the …
Consider Your Ways: Part 1
"Thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways." (Haggai 1:5,7) This is what the Lord Almighty says—not less than 25 times—in the two short chapters of the book of Haggai. "Lord of hosts,” this designation for God is frequently used …
When marriage becomes hard
How do you respond when marriage becomes hard? It is easy to make a vow on stage but difficult to stay true to it in complex and unexpected life situations. It is tiring and, importantly, damaging to the relationship if you …
The Church of Thyatira: The Church Where Sin Was Justified
Of the messages that Jesus sent to the seven churches, the message to the church in Thyatira was the longest. Perhaps this is because the church was flourishing in an extraordinary manner and yet there was a serious but unrecognized danger …
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Reflections of 2018
The year 2018 is now behind us. Endings are always a good time for reflection. Looking back reminds one of where he has gone and what he has learned. Looking back offers hindsight and wisdom. New Year Resolutions have their place. …
It’s our 1st Anniversary!
As the year is drawing to an end we are also celebrating the first anniversary of the Renew In Knowledge Ministry! On December 28th, 2017, we started this ministry with the mission to provide counsel and encouragement to transform life based …
Who is The Christ in Christmas?
Imagine celebrating a Thanksgiving without turkey or a Passover without lamb. Much worse than that, however, is a Christmas without Christ. Arguably, Christmas is the most decorated and celebrated holiday across the world. Nevertheless, the joy of this season won’t be …
The Church of Pergamos: Lessons on the Insidious Attacks of Satan
The messages of Jesus to the seven churches of Asia provide valuable insight into not only the divine perspective of life in His body but also to the dangers and perils which confront the church and individual Christians. It is important …
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Zealous for God
Yesterday, I was at my daughter’s volleyball game. A man sat near me who was obviously for the other team. During the two-hour event, I repetitively heard him comment to one after another his sentiments about this “home-schooling” VB team: “Yeah, …
The Church of Smyrna: The Love of Christ is Always Present
While the Church of Ephesus was reminded of their need to return to their first love, Christ’s principal message to the Church of Smyrna is that His own love will never fail. In spite of discouraging trials and even intense persecutions, …
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3 Hospitality tips from Martha & Mary
Hospitality can be exhausting to the host and fulfilling to the guest. Often time women take the heavy toll of it. Most people enjoy hosting though it can be tiring. Bible commends and encourages to be hospitable. (1 Peter 4:9) Martha …
The Message to the Church of Ephesus: The Most Important Thing
Let’s begin our study of Christ’s message to the Ephesian church with a review of its historical background. Ephesus was a major city located on the Aegean Sea in what is now Turkey although at the time it was part of …
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The Messages to the Seven Churches of Revelation: Their Meaning and Their Application to Our Lives
The Book of Revelation holds a unique place in Scripture, detailing the astounding events preceding the ultimate culmination of God’s plans for His creation, the glorification of the Lord Jesus Christ, and creation’s entry into the indescribable wonders of the eternal …
The Gift God Wants
The Lord God is a demanding God. If we don’t do things His way He would rather we’d not do them at all. He has a very specific standard and what we do must adhere to it. It’s true. It is …
What are you looking forward to?
Are you looking forward to the weekend? A holiday? Graduating from school? Or bigger goals like getting married, starting a family, getting that job that you always wanted, or buying a house? What is it that you are looking forward to? …
Does God exist?
When and how did the universe begin? The answers to these questions are far beyond the scope of this article to dissect. For the time; some say in thousands and some in millions of years. For the cause; there are proponents …
What are the common strategies of the Devil?
The operations of the devil are undeniably evident in the lives of both believers and skeptics. Now some of you may think- I am impervious to the tactics of the devil because I am saved. If you hold to that thought, …
Genuineness: Lessons from newborns
Though a novice to the baby world, I am quick to realize that they can teach us invaluable lessons. My learning from this exciting world began with the entry of our newborn girl this April. Even though they can’t talk, a …
The God of all comfort
"Blessed be God even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ ,the father of mercies and the God of all comfort "( 2 Cor. 1:3 ). God is described as the compassionate father of all mercies for indeed He is the …
Beyond Death
Death is so universal that we don’t need a lawyer to present the case for its inevitability. Yet In spite of its evident reality there exist uncertainties and misconceptions in the mind of millions about what happens when they die. Through …
Longsuffering
Of the many virtues which Paul lists as being aspects of the Fruit of the Spirit, longsuffering is seldom given priority in our thinking. Love, faith, and joy spring readily to mind but longsuffering is often relegated to a secondary status. …
Peace: With God, with Man, and with One’s Self
Shalom! Since ancient times this Hebrew word meaning “peace” has been the customary greeting of the Jews. Its use reflects the fundamental longing of every individual to enjoy wholeness, tranquility, and freedom from anxiety, things that are rarely to be found …
Are you a warrior?
By Nimmy Merlien Philip Many a times, I am awed by our soldiers' steadfast dedication, physical and mental toughness, and valiant sacrifice -- And it has always kept me wondering, despite being fully armored, they never have a protection for their …
Living the Dream or Living the Purpose
Once upon a time there lived an elephant in the jungle. Every morning he went to the nearby gently flowing river to quench his thirst and to have a refreshing bath. He made friends with a fish and would often talk …
Joy: The Fruit of the Spirit
Many years ago I was involved in helping to plant a church in an impoverished and marginalized area of a large Central American city. This particular barrio was known for its destitution, rampant violence, blatantly open drug-dealing, and wide-spread prostitution. In …
An Exonerating Message for Progressives and Conservatives
Two millennia ago a group of men led by their Rabbi was travelling through Samaria towards the Jewish holy land. They needed a place to rest and sleep. With that in mind the Rabbi sent messengers to a village nearby. …
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Interview with Dr. Tedd Tripp & Margy Tripp (Part 2)
Parenting by “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” “Shepherding a Child’s Heart” is not magic. It is not a Christian “rabbit’s foot”. Christian parenting cannot be focused on “saving” our children. It is only the work of the Spirit of God that can …
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Love : The Fruit of the Spirit’s First Virtue
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 …
The Fruit of the Spirit
In the Book of Galatians, Paul explains how the Christian should live his life. Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, reasons that if a Christian is saved by faith, should he not continue to live by that same faith? …
Interview with Dr. Tedd Tripp & Margy Tripp (Part 1)
Introduction Tedd and Margy have spent their fifty years of marriage in various ministries. Early on, an open home ministry in the 70’s whetted their interest in Christian worldview. This was followed by pastoral ministry and starting a Christian school. All …
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Love In Truth and Action
Is it possible to love just in words? Is it possible to love falsely? The answer is yes. That is why John, the Apostle of love writes “Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and truth.” (1 …
Visible hands of the Invisible God
The silence of the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. Wait, is it the silence or the voice of the Lord (Psalm 29:5)? Ah yes, It is the voice of the Lord that breaks the cedars of Lebanon. But is it …
Schemes of the Devil: the director of Evil
First, dear friends, I encourage you to read this whole article with an open mind. This is not a topic which is usually heard in a Sunday sermon or even considered with the seriousness the subject merits. Yet, the operations of …
My Stress – God’s Solution
Richard Swenson says, “We have more questions than answers, more problems than solutions.” Few know where we are headed, but it is universally acknowledged that we are stressed out. In his book Shoulder to Shoulder, Dr. Rodney L. Cooper defines stress …
Is Social Media Taking Over our Lives?
More than any other aspect of modern technology, social media has impacted our daily lives. Take a moment to look around-- you will notice that nearly everyone has their nose glued to their smartphone. There is an urge to Snapchat, Facebook, …
Renew in Knowledge
New world… New model… New version… New product… When it comes to external things, everyone likes new and fresh. However, when it comes to themselves, people tend to stick to their old nature and old behavior. In their hunt for new …
The God-Walkers
A few brave souls are God-walkers. They walk with the Almighty. Should you ever meet one, you’ll never be the same. Enoch was a God-walker. The Bible says, “Enoch walked with God three hundred years.”1 The same is true of every …
